DEPARTMENI OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY
BEDFORD
RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
AND OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTOR
FOR THE YEAR
1967
A. W. C. LOBBAN
Medical Officer of Health
D. B. MILLS
Chief Public Health Inspector
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CONTENTS
PAGE
MEMBERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICERS OF THE AUTHORITY 3
PREFACE 4
1. STATISTICS OF THE AREA 5
2. SOCIAL CONDITIONS 5
3. VITAL STATISTICS 6
4. SCHOOLS 9
5. SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE AREA 9
(a) Water Supply ......... 9
(b) Drainage and Sewerage . . . . . . . . 11
(c) Rivers and Streams . . . . . . . . 11
(d) Closet Accommodation . . . . . , . . 11
(e) Public Cleansing ......... 11
(f) Sanitary Inspection of the Area . . . . . . 12
(g) Smoke Abatement . . . . . . . . 13
(h) Caravan Sites ......... 13
(i) Rats and Mice — Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 . . 13
(j) Swimming Pools ......... 14
(k) Noise ........... 14
(l) Farms ........... 14
6. INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD .... 14
(a) Meat Inspection ......... 14
(b) Poultry Inspection . . . . . . . . 15
(c) Food 16
(d) Premises Registered Under Food and Drugs Act, 1955 . . 16
(e) Milk Supply 17
7. HOUSING 17
8. OFFICES AND SHOPS 19
9. PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES . 20
10. TUBERCULOSIS 21
11. NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948, SECTION 47 . . .21
1
12. CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS PERSONS
13. FACTORIES
(a) Inspections .....
(b) Cases in Which Defects Were Found
(c) Outwork .....
BEDFORD RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE
Mr.
Miss L. R. Gurney
Miss M. G. Rootham
Miss C. J. Vigar
Mr. C. Abraham
Mr. F. G. Ashpole
Mr. D. R. Barnes
Chairman
. C. PURSEHOUSE
Mr. P. S. Burman
Mr. D. P. Middleton
Mr. J. H. J. Saunderson
Mr. C. H. Simmonds
Mr. j. Webb
E. W. Stratford {Chairman of the Council — ex-officio)
Mr. G. W. Beazley {Vice-Chairman of the Council — ex-officio)
Mr. F. j. Hall {past Chairman of the Council — ex-officio)
OFFICERS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Medical Officer of Health
G. R. Thorpe, M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H. (to 7.6.67)
A. W. C. Lobban, M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H. (from 8.6.67)
Chief Public Health Inspector
D. B. Mills, M.A.P.H.I.
Additional Public Health Inspectors
G. Keeling, M.A.P.H.I.
E. Young, M.A.P.H.I.
Public Health Assistant
J. N. Cox
Student Public Health Inspector
A. R. Jackson
Clerk- Typist
Mrs. C. j. Kirk
3
To the Chairman and Members of the
Bedford Rural District Council
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the health and sanitary circum-
stances for the District for the year 1967.
The vital statistics for the year are again satisfactory, with the death rate and the
infant mortality rate both significantly below the respective rates for England and Wales.
The absence of deaths due to infectious diseases, except one due to meningococcal
meningitis, two due to old cases of syphilis and one due to respiratory tuberculosis, is the
result of the good work done in the past in the field of environmental health and hygiene
and of the continuing benefits of immunisation against smallpox, diphtheria, poliomyelitis,
tetanus and whooping cough. It is of the greatest importance that the public do not flag
in their co-operation in having their children protected against these serious diseases
which can cause severe disability or death. It is only by keeping a high level of hard
immunity against these diseases that the population can remain free from them.
Degenerative diseases of the heart and arteries continue to lead in the causes of
death, followed by the various neoplasms. Much of this is due to an inevitable process of
ageing, but perhaps more could be done to prevent some of the people from ageing too
fast by correction of unhealthy modes of living. There is more future in the preventive
field in this respect than in that of spectacular cardiac surgery.
A few cases of infection with salmonellae of the food-poisoning type occurred during
the year, emphasising the great importance of personal and food hygiene in preventing
this type of illness. These types of salmonellae are so widely found in animals that it is
imperative that there should be no contact between raw and cooked meat, either directly
or through hands and utensils.
The full co-operation of the public health staff was given during the prevalence of the
epidemic of foot and mouth disease in other parts of the country, and appropriate steps
were taken to avoid possible spread if the infection had come into the District.
I wish to thank the Members of the Council for their wholehearted co-operation and
the members of the Staff, particularly Mr. Mills who is responsible for the bulk of this
report, for their courtesy, zeal and efficiency at all times.
I am.
Your obedient servant,
A. W. C. LOBBAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
4
BEDFORD RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR 1967
1. STATISTICS OF THE AREA
A.FC3 HI 3CFCS ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••
Population —
Census for 1961
Registrar General’s estimate of home population mid-year 1967
Number of inhabited houses
Rateable value at 1st April, 1967
Estimated sum represented by a Penny Rate at 1st April, 1967
111,287
33,725
35,900
11,662
... £1,621,164
£6,596
2. SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The District is largely agricultural but there is a number of small industrial premises.
Some forms of farming are moving towards industrialisation in their methods and it is
important to see that no nuisance arises from smell and disposal of animal excreta.
Planning and close supervision are important in this respect.
There is an increasing tendency for the villages to become dormitory areas for the
larger centres of population nearby, but this may be no bad thing as much of the life of the
villages may thereby become re-vitalised instead of decaying.
5
3. VITAL STATISTICS
Live Births
Legitimate ...
Illegitimate ...
Total
Crude Birth Rate ...
Adjusted Birth Rate
(The comparability factor
Males
Females
Total
327
290
617
12
18
30
339
308
647
18*0 per 1,000 home population
17-5
5> 55 55 55
the district being 0-97)
As compared with: —
Average of last 5 years
Adjusted Rate for Bedfordshire
Rate for England and Wales
19*8 per 1,000 home population
190 „
55
55
17-2 „
55
55
55
55
Still Births
Legitimate ...
Males Females
2 4
Total
6
Illegitimate
... — —
—
Total
2 4
6
Still Birth Rate
9-0 per 1,000 live and still births
As compared with: —
Average of last 5 years
12-5
... 1^^,, ,, ,,
55 55 55
Rate for Bedfordshire
12-3
... ,, ,,
55 55 55
Rate for England and Wales
14-8
... u ,, ,, ,,
55 55 55
Deaths
Males
Females
Total
Deaths in the District
157
90
247
Transferred into the District
58
76
134
Transferred from the District
45
12
57
Total
170
154
324
6
Crude Death Rate 9-0 per 1,000 home population
Adjusted Death Rate ••• ••• ^0,, ,, ,5 55
(The comparability factor for the District being 0-95)
As compared with: —
Average of last 5 years
Adjusted Rate for Bedfordshire
Rate for England and Wales
10-5 per 1,000 home population
9-2 „
11*2 5,
5?
?)
55
55
55
55
Deaths of Infants Under One Year of Age
Males Females Total
Legitimate 5 5 10
Illegitimate
Total 5 5 10
Infant Mortality Rate
15-0 per 1,000 related births
As compared with: —
Average of last 5 years
Rate for Bedfordshire
Rate for England and Wales
16-1
55
55
55
55
14*5
55
55
55
55
19-0
55
55
55
55
Deaths Connected with Childbirth
Maternal Mortality Nil per 1,000 total live and still births
As compared with: —
Average of last 5 years Nil „ „ „ „ „ „
Rate for Bedfordshire 017 „ „ „ „ „ „
7
Causes of Death at Different Periods of Life During 1967
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4. SCHOOLS
Two schools still have bucket latrines, Ravensden and Wilden.
5. SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE AREA
(a) WATER SUPPLY
Adequate supplies of water have been maintained throughout the District by the
Bedfordshire Water Board.
In general, the Parishes in the District are supplied from the Bedford River Ouse
Source. However, the Parish of Great Barford and parts of Wilstead, Eastcotts and
Staploe are supplied from the Great Ouse Water Authority, Graf ham Source, and the
Parish of Wymington has a bulk supply from the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water
Board.
An analysis of dwellings with (a) piped water supply or (b) a standpipe within easy
access of the dwelling, is given below for the parishes where this information is available.
Parish
Number of
Houses
Barford, Great
426
Bletsoe
94
Bolnhurst and Keysoe . . .
249
Cardington
107
Carlton and Chellington
275
Colmworth
124
Cople
242
Eastcotts
677
Harrold
430
Knotting and Souldrop
94
Little Staughton
100
Milton Ernest
147
Pertenhall
80
Ravensden
213
Renhold
397
Riseley ...
268
Roxton
215
Swineshead
47
Thurleigh
163
Turvey
370
Wilden
124
Willington
222
Wilstead
334
Wootton
815
Number of
Number of
Number of
Houses with
Houses served Houses served
piped water
by standpipes
by other
facilities
403
16
2
87
5
2
228
19
1
97
8
2
271
4
—
119
4
1
232
6
1
671
6
—
411
8
8
91
2
—
96
3
139
7
III.. .
80
—
198
15
■— 1
393
3
257
9
1
178
34
3
45
1
1
155
8
356
2
6
109
13
2
212
—
2
311
21
2
809
5
1
9
Chemical Analysis of Raw and Treated Water
Bedford River Ouse Source
Raw Water
Treated Water
Range
Average
Range
Average
Turbidity (A.T.U.)
3-125
21
Nil-1 -7
0-3
Colour (Hazen Units)
8-80
26
Nil-20
5-0
Reaction (pH) ...
V-85-8-65
8-15
7-50-7-80
7-73
Electric Conductivity (reciprocal meg-
ohms per cc at 20°)
520-760
665
500-680
582
Ammoniacal Nitrogen (Free and Saline
Ammonia) ...
Nil-0-34
0-06
—
Nil
Albuminoid Nitrogen
0-04-0-66
0-35
0-10-0-39
0-18
Oxygen absorbed in 4 hours at 26-7°C
1-08-6-40
2-6
0-5-3-2
1-1
Anionic Detergent
0-05-0-36
0-15
0-02-0-35
0-12
Chlorine in Chlorides
29-48
36
34-56
44
Total Hardness, p.p.m.
315-432
382
258-328
304
Total Hardness, degrees Clark
22-31
27
18-23
22
Carbonate Hardness as CaCOg
198-277
242
111-174
141
Non-Carbonate Hardness as CaCOs
109-174
140
126-188
162
Calcium as CaCOg
250-391
349
230-310
271
Magnesium as CaCOg
28-41
33
28-39
33
Nitrogen in Nitrites \
Nitrogen in Nitrates J
1 -2-8-3
3-6
1 -0-5-7
3-1
Free Carbon Dioxide
—
4
—
6
Fluorine as F ...
0-15-0-25
0-19
0-10-0-15
0-13
Iron as Fe
Nil-0-60
0-05
Nil-0-24
Less than 0-04
Lead
—
Nil
—
Nil
Zinc
—
Nil
—
Nil
Copper
—
Nil
—
Nil
Aluminium*
—
Nil
C-01-0-06*
Nil
Sodium
12-36
20
12-36
18
Potassium
2-5-4-8
3-6
2-5 -4-8
3-6
Silica as Si02 ...
Nil-11
5-4
1-8
4-3
Phosphates (Total)
0-5-5-0
4-23
Nil-0-80
0-35
Results in parts per million.
* Applies only to few occasions in which alum was used.
Rainfall (Bedford)
Month
Total
inches
Greatest Rainfall
in 24 hours
No. of days
with -01"
or more
No. of days
with -04"
or more
Inches
Date
January
-65
-16
22nd
15
7
February
1-53
-34
27th
10
8
March
1-05
-36
8th
11
8
April
1-98
-77
10th
14
8
May ...
2-98
-55
14th
23
17
June ...
1-47
-84
25th
6
4
July
-74
-16
27th and
29th
10
6
August
1-26
-24
13th
14
7
September
1-62
-31
14th
21
11
October
3-20
-74
16th
21
12
November
1-59
-47
1st
17
10
December
1-54
-39
18th
20
9
Total . . .
19-61
10
(b) DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE
The sewerage schemes for Thurleigh, Renhold and Ravensden have been completed
and are now operational. The scheme for Roxton is now under way but regretably the
scheme for Staploe and Duloe which was ready to go to tender has been deferred by the
Ministry. A high proportion of the dwellings in these two villages are Council owned
and form a large part of the unimproved Council houses.
Preliminary works on schemes for Wyboston and Wilden have been carried out and
it has also become apparent that major works will be necessary on the disposal plant at
Stewartby.
(c) RIVERS AND STREAMS
Overflowing cesspools and unauthorised discharges of effluent from septic tanks into
ditches and watercourses continue to provide the source of numerous complaints. The
majority of these problems could best be overcome by the provision of sewerage systems
but in the absence of such permanent means of disposal the householder is often faced
with very serious and expensive problems. Prospective purchasers of modern houses
with all internal amenities but with drainage discharging to a cesspool or septic tank would
be well advised to seek competent professional advice on the full implications of such
systems before buying the property.
(d) CLOSET ACCOMMODATION
The Council’s extensive sewerage schemes have placed a very high percentage of
properties within easy access of such facilities. Whilst the majority of owners have now
provided their premises with water closets as the sewer has become available, some owners
are still showing some reluctance to abolish pail closets.
Financial incentives in the form of improvement grants and/or permitted rent
increases are available to owners of tenanted property but as a last resort the Council must
consider using its compulsory powers to abolish these pail closets.
(e) PUBLIC CLEANSING
The weekly refuse collection has been maintained throughout the district although
the system was very severely strained for a prolonged period because of injury and illness.
A breakdown of the service was avoided only by the depleted crews working excessive
hours.
The Civic Amenities Act, 1967 came into force during the year and makes the
abandonment of any vehicle or any other thing on land in the open air an offence. The
Act also requires the Council to make provision of suitable places for the public to dispose
of its refuse and also for the removal and disposal of vehicles and other refuse. Although
the operation of these two latter functions is deferred for twelve months, the Council has
existing facilities at the Lower Farm Road site at Bromham which will go a long way
towards meeting the statutory requirements. Consideration has been given to the
operation of a joint scheme with neighbouring authorities to meet these requirements of
Part III of the Act.
11
(f) SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA
The following list gives the statistics relative to the sanitary inspection of the area : —
Number of inspections made during the year 6,973
Visits to houses under the Public Health Acts 243
Visits to other premises under the Public Health Acts 167
Visits to houses under the Housing Acts 1,291
Infectious disease and food poisoning investigations 59
Visits to food premises 523
Inspections of slaughterhouses ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4
Inspections of knackers yards ... 8
Inspections of meat and other foodstuffs 723
Factory inspections 10
Visits to caravan sites 75
Smoke abatement 2
Noise abatement 14
Inspections of licensed premises 105
Visits in connection with the Rent Act, 1957 —
Inspections in connection with the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 3,360
Offices and Shops 134
Miscellaneous Enquiries, Interviews, etc 100
Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act 155
Inspections of Houses Under Public Health Act, 1936
Water Supply 14
Defects prejudicial to health or a nuisance 30
Defective or blocked drains 37
Overflowing or leaking cesspools 40
Defective or insanitary closet accommodation ... ... ... ... ... —
Filthy or verminous premises 6
Sundry visits 116
Inspections of Other Premises and Places Under the Public Health Act, 1936
Refuse Tips 4
Ditches and streams 83
Licensed premises 25
Places of public entertainments (village halls) 4
Water samples ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31
Keeping of animals 6
Accumulations 10
Sundry nuisances ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... —
Swimming Pools 4
Summary of Matters Dealt with Under the Public Health Act, 1936
Informal notices served 9
Informal notices complied with ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12
Statutory notices served ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2
Statutory notices complied with ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2
12
(g) SMOKE ABATEMENT
No problems have arisen from the emission of dark smoke from industrial chimneys.
Three applications have been approved for “prior approval’^ of new industrial furnaces
and the appropriate chimney height determined in each case.
Number of smoke observations ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1
Number of contraventions ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... —
Number of inspections of boiler-house plant ... ... ... ... ... 1
(h) CARAVAN SITES
Number of residential sites with more than three vans ... ... ... ... 6
Number of individual residential sites ... ... ... ... ... ... 17
Number of recreational sites ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4
It has been noted that there have been a number of vacant standings on the residential
caravan sites at various times which could be indicative that the demand for residential
caravans is easing off to some extent. The need for residential sites will be with us for a
a considerable period, however, and if site operators are to be encouraged to provide the
best available amenities, they should have the benefit of permanent consents (planning
and site licences) to justify their capital outlay on these projects.
The provision of suitable permanent sites in the County to accommodate un-
authorised caravans is still awaited in order that the problem of the plight of these caravan
dwellers can be satisfactorily resolved.
(i) RATS AND MICE— PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949
The Council employ one Rodent Officer, who is responsible for the survey of the
area and for treatment of domestic premises in which rats and mice are found. The
treatment of domestic premises is carried out as a free service.
Agricultural land and premises are also surveyed to ensure that the occupiers are
fulfilling their obligations under the Act.
The following table gives details of the work undertaken by the end of the year : —
Pests Act
Type of Property
Non-
Agricultural Agricultural
Total number of properties (including nearby premises)
inspected following notification
776
7
Number infested by (1) Rats
265
6
(2) Mice
53
3
Revisits to premises under (A)
949
14
Total number of properties inspected for reasons other
than notification
652
231
Number infested by (1) Rats
169
47
(2) Mice
11
8
Revisits to premises under (B)
591
74
Visits to premises for other pests
64
_
13
(i) SWIMMING POOLS
One swimming pool is in use in the area. The pool is privately owned but members
of the public are admitted at certain times of the week.
Routine bacteriological tests of the water have revealed that a satisfactory standard
has been maintained in the pool.
(k) NOISE
No serious problems have arisen from noise during the year. The noise level from
a compressor and dust extraction system at a factory, which had been the subject of earlier
complaints, has been reduced and no further complaints have been received.
(l) FARMS
Routine inspections of sanitary accommodation for farmworkers have been made at
agricultural units and permanent facilities improved where necessary. The sanitary
accommodation facilities for temporary workers in the fields still leave room for improve-
ment.
Number of visits to agricultural units 155
6. INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
(a) MEAT INSPECTION
Number of slaughterhouses licensed ... 4
Number of knackers yards licensed 1
A new licensed slaughterhouse came into operation during the year at an experimen-
tal food research establishment in the area. A small amount of the meat produced in this
slaughterhouse is required for research work, the remainder of the meat being released
for commercial use. Animals slaughtered in this establishment are inspected by the
Public Health Inspectors and the meat stamped before it is released, in accordance with
the normal practice as carried out in the other commercial slaughterhouses where every
slaughtered animal has to be inspected and stamped before it can leave the premises.
There has been a reduction in the number of animals inspected and this can be
accounted for by a falling off of trade at the wholesale meat trader’s slaughterhouse. The
amount of meat and offal condemned has not decreased, however, and this is due in no
small degree to farmers sending obviously sick animals to the slaughterhouse instead of the
knackers yard.
All meat rejected as unfit for human consumption is sent to a processing plant to
render it sterile.
Number of animals inspected ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11,807
Number of visits made for meat inspections ... ... ... ... ... 711
Total weight of meat and offal rejected ... ... ... ... 35,894 lbs.
14
Carcases and Offal Inspected and Condemned in Whole or in Part
Cattle
excluding
Cows
Cows
Calves
Sheep
and
Lambs
Pigs
Total
Number killed and inspected
All diseases except Tuberculosis and
Cysticerci:
1,365
282
203
4,099
5,858
11,807
Whole carcases condemned
Carcases of which some part or
8
16
8
40
107
179
organ was condemned
Percentage of the number inspected
affected with disease other than
172
75
139
344
730
tuberculosis and cysticerci
Tuberculosis only:
13-2
32
3-94
4-39
7-66
7-7
Whole carcases condemned
Carcases of which some part or
—
—
—
—
—
—
organ was condemned
Percentage of the number inspected
—
—
—
—
15
15
affected by tuberculosis ...
Cysticercosis:
Carcases of which some part or
0-26
013
organ was condemned ...
Carcases submitted to treatment
1
—
—
—
—
1
by refrigeration
3
—
—
3
Generalised and total condemned
■ ■ '
—
(b) POULTRY INSPECTION
There are no poultry processing premises being operated within the district.
Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Regulations, 1958
The occupier of every knackers yard is required to submit an annual return showing
the total number of horses slaughtered, the place at which they were slaughtered, and the
total number of horses received during that year. There is one knackers yard in the area.
Knackers Yard occupier :—Chettle & Sons, Ltd.
Address of Licensed Knackers Yardi — Gooseys Lodge, Wymington.
Number of Horses slaughtered at Knackers Yard
Number of Horses slaughtered on Farms * . *
Number of carcases of Horses received * ”
Total number of Horses slaughtered and carcases received
Nil
17
30
47
15
(c) FOOD
Food premises in the area: —
Type
Grocery and General Stores
Number
81
No. with
washbasins
81
No. to which
Reg. 19 Food
Hygiene Regs,
applies
81
No. fitted to
comply with
Reg. 19
81
Butchers
9
9
9
9
Restaurants, Cafes and Canteens ...
21
20
21
21
Greengrocery
4
3
4
3
Sweet Confectionery
6
6
—
—
Wet/Fried Fish Shops
1
1
1
1
Bakehouses ...
4
3
4
4
Ice Cream Retailers ...
98
98
—
_
Licensed Premises ...
no
—
no
109
Slaughterhouses
3
3
3
3
The Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966 came
into operation at the beginning of the year bringing all mobile food traders and food
delivery vehicles within the scope of the provisions which are formulated to secure the
hygienic handling of food. The regulations have been long awaited and should remove
anomilies that have existed in food handling in mobile units compared to the standards
already applicable to other food premises. The very nature of mobile traders mode of
operation still does make it difficult to alight upon and inspect the vehicle, however,
particularly when the vehicles are based elsewhere than in our own district. It is still not
necessary for mobile operators to notify the Council of their existence except in the case
of certain classes of trader seeking exemption from some of the provisions of the regula-
tions. Virtually all the known mobile traders have been inspected during the year and
although an appreciable number of contraventions of the regulations were found initially,
most of these shortcomings have now been rectified.
Food handling in permanent food premises has been found to be generally satis-
factory and any contraventions of the Food Hygiene Regulations have been remedied by
informal action.
The following complaints of unsound or unsatisfactory food were investigated: —
(1) Crystals in canned grapefruit ... Laboratory report — harmless.
(2) Mould on cornish pasty Warning letter.
(3) Larvae in packet of baby rice ... Letter sent to vendors re unsatisfactory
storage methods.
(4) Bottle of Cockles Negative Laboratory Report.
(5) Piece of fried fish (rock salmon) ... No abnormality found.
Unsound food surrendered and condemned ... ... ... ... 460 lbs.
(d) PREMISES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 16 OF THE FOOD AND
DRUGS ACT, 1955
Ice Cream Retailers ... ... ... ... ... ... ..• ... 98
Sausage and/or Meat Product Manufacturers 10
Bacteriological samples of ice cream taken have indicated that a satisfactory standard
is being maintained.
The sausage and meat product manufacturers are all based in butcher’s shops and
are inspected during visits to those premises.
16
(e) MILK SUPPLY
Routine control by bacteriological and chemical samplings of milk, and also the
supervision of milk processing plants is carried out by the County Council as the^Food
and Drugs Authority. This Authority is also responsible for the issue of all dealers’ milk
licences.
7. HOUSING
Number of inhabited houses
,, „ houses erected by private enterprise during the year
„ „ conversions and adaptations completed by private enterprise
,, „ conversions and adaptations completed by the Council
11,662
338
5 J
55
units erected by the Council ... ... ... ... ... ... 153
Action taken on unfit dwellings accounted for the demolition of 14 houses and
Closing Orders being made on a further 1 1 houses the families from nine of these latter
dwellings being re-housed by the Council.
The improvement grant schemes are still providing the main incentive to modernise
and renovate sub-standard properties and 127 new grant applications were approved
even though the discretionary grant facilities were not made available except in certain
circumstances. Improvement work was completed on 122 dwellings. The relatively small
Council housing programme for the next few years lays emphasis to the need to keep as
many existing houses as possible in being by bringing them up to a satisfactory standard
of fitness.
Tenants are still showing much reluctance in exercising their rights under the
Housing Act, 1964 to ask for compulsory improvements where the owner has not carried
out the work voluntarily.
INSPECTIONS OF DWELLING HOUSES UNDER THE HOUSING ACT, 1957
Housing Survey Visits 834
Number of houses inspected 42
Number of visits 59
REMEDY OF DEFECTS DURING THE YEAR WITHOUT SERVICE OF
FORMAL NOTICES
Number of defective Dwelling Houses rendered fit in consequence of
informal action by the Local Authority or their Officers ... ... 31
17
ACTION UNDER STATUTORY POWERS DURING THE YEAR
A. Proceedings under Sections 9, 10 and 16 of the Housing Act, 1957: —
(1) Number of Dwelling Houses in respect of which notices were
served requiring repairs —
(2) Number of Dwelling Houses which were rendered fit after
service of formal notice : —
(a) By Owners 3
(b) By Local Authority in default of Owners —
B. Proceedings Under Public Health Acts 1
C. Proceedings under Section 16 and 17 of the Housing Act, 1957: —
(1) Number of Dwelling Houses in respect of which Demolition
Orders were made —
(2) Number of Dwelling Houses demolished in pursuance of
Demolition Orders 14
D. Proceedings under Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1957, to secure
closure of part of a building —
E. Proceedings under Section 16 and 17 of the Housing Act, 1957, in
respect of which Closing Orders were made ... ... ... ... 11
HOUSING ACTS, 1949-1964, IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
Discretionary Grants
Number of inspections 58
Applications approved 5
Number of houses concerned ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9
Applications refused Nil
Applications withdrawn ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Nil
Improvements completed ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 33
New units of accommodation provided ... ... ... ... ... ... 1
Standard Grants
Number of inspections ... ... 340
Applications approved HO
Number of houses concerned ... ... ... ... ... ••• •••
Applications refused Nil
Applications withdrawn 1
Improvements completed ... ... ... ... ... ••• ••• •••
Compulsory Improvements
Number of representations made by tenants ... ... ... ... . • • 1
Number of preliminary notices served ... ... ... ... ... ••• 1
Number of immediate improvement notices served Nil
Number of dwellings improved ^
18
RENT ACT, 1957
No action was necessary under the Act.
8. OFFICES AND SHOPS
General inspections and revisits to offices and shops have revealed only a small
number of contraventions of the requirements of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises
Act, 1963. Three of these contraventions related to the cleanliness of the premises and
there were single instances relating to lighting, temperature, supply of drinking water and
clothing accommodation.
Two accidents were reported relating to very minor injuries that did not warrant any
further action by the Council.
Registration and General Inspections
Class of Premises
Number of
Premises Registered
during the year
Total number of
Registered Premises
at end of year
Number of
Registered Premises
receiving a general
inspection during
the year
Offices
35
10
Retail Shops
1
63
22
Wholesale shops, warehouses ...
—
3
—
Catering establishments open to
the public, canteens ...
13
4
Fuel storage depots
2
■ —
Number of visits to registered premises 134
19
Analysis of Persons Employed in Registered Premises by Workplace
Class of Workplace
Number of
persons employed
Offices
286
Retail shops
154
Wholesale departments, warehouses
56
Catering establishments open to the Public
78
Canteens
44
Fuel storage depots
6
Total
624
Total Males
291
Total Females
333
No exemption for covering working space, room temperatures, sanitary conveniences
or washing facilities were granted.
Number of prosecutions instituted Nil
Number of Inspectors appointed under Section 52 (1) or (5) of the Act ... 3
9. PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
Disease
Notifications by Age Groups
0-5
5-15
Over
15
Total
Removed
to
Hospital
Measles
152
168
5
325
1
Whooping cough
11
15
1
27
—
Scarlet fever ...
5
7
—
12
—
Pneumonia ...
—
—
4
4
—
Erysipelas
—
—
4
4
—
Infective hepatitis ...
—
—
18
18
—
Dysentery
15
13
27
55
3
Meningococcal infections ...
—
—
1
1
—
Food poisoning
3
4
7
2
It is hoped that the immunisation against measles, which will be offered in 1968,
will remove this illness as a major cause of ill-health and school absence in children.
It is noteworthy that no cases of diphtheria or poliomyelitis occurred in the District
in 1967.
20
10. TUBERCULOSIS
New Cases
Deaths
Non-
Non-
Age
Pulmonary
Pulmonary
Pulmonary
Pulmonary
M
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
Under 1 ...
1-5
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5-15
15-35
1
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
35-65
2
1
—
1
—
1
■ ■ ■ ■
Over 65 ...
1
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
Totals
4
2
—
2
—
1
—
—
Number on Register at End of Year
Males Females
Pulmonary 35 22
Non-Pulmonary — 10
11. NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948, SECTION 47
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 gives the Local Authority power to
compulsorily remove to hospital or other suitable premises, persons suffering from grave
chronic disease, and/or, who being aged, infirm or physically incapacitated, or living in
insanitary conditions, being unable to devote to themselves or are not receiving from
others, proper care and attention.
This Section was not used during 1967.
12. CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS PERSONS
Public Health Act, 1936, Section 85
This section principally refers to school children with verminous heads. They are
dealt with as a routine matter by the School Nurses and call for no particular comment.
The condition is far less common than it was several years ago.
There is an arrangement with the Borough of Bedford Health Department to treat
general infestations at Bedford.
Modern treatment of scabies no longer necessitates cleansing under this section.
21
13. FACTORIES
Prescribed particulars on the administration of the Factories Act, 1961.
PART I OF THE ACT
(a) INSPECTIONS for purposes of provisions as to health (including inspections made
by Public Health Inspectors): —
Number
on
Register
(2)
Number of
Premises
(1)
Inspections
(3)
Written
notices
(4)
Occupiers
prosecuted
(5)
(i) Factories in which Sections 1, 2, 3, 4
and 6 are to be enforced by Local
Authorities
(ii) Factories not included in (i) in which
Section 7 is enforced by the Local
Authority
86
10
(iii) Other Premises in which Section 7 is
enforced by the Local Authority
(excluding out-workers’ premises) ...
6
—
—
—
Totals
92
10
—
—
22
(b) CASES IN WHICH DEFECTS WERE FOUND
(If defects are discovered at the premises on two, three or more separate occasions
they should be reckoned as two, three or more “cases”)
Number of cases in which defects
were found
Number of
cases in
which
prosecutions
were
instituted
Particulars
Found
Remedied
Referred
To H.M.
Inspector
By H.M.
Inspector
Want of cleanliness (S.l)
—
—
—
—
—
Overcrowding (S.2)
—
—
—
—
—
Unreasonable temperature (S.3)
—
—
—
—
—
Inadequate ventilation (S.4)
—
—
—
—
—
Ineffective drainage of floors (S.6)
Sanitary Conveniences (S.7) —
—
—
—
—
—
(a) Insuflicienc
—
—
—
—
—
(b) Unsuitable or defective ...
—
—
—
—
—
(c) Not separate for sexes
—
—
—
—
—
Other offences against the Act (not
including offences relating to
Outwork)
—
--
_
Totals
—
—
—
—
—
23
(c) OUTWORK
PART VIII OF THE ACT
(Sections 110 and 111)
Section 110
Section 111
Nature of Work
No. of
out-
workers
in August
list
required
by Sect.
110(l)(c)
No. of
cases of
default
in send-
ing lists
to the
Council
No. of
prosecu-
tions for
failure to
supply
lists
No. of
instances
of work
in
unwhole-
some
premises
Notices
served
Prosecu-
tions
Wearing apparel —
Making, etc.
6
_
Curtains and furniture
hangings
3
—
—
—
—
—
Furniture and Upholstery
—
—
—
—
—
—
Totals
9
—
—
—
—
—
24
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